Japan for Dummies

[budmiester1]

Well as I said on the 2017 travel plans thread the boss and I are off to Japan for 13 nights in September. Our itinerary will be 5 nights in Tokyo, 3 nights in Kyoto, 2 nights in Osaka finishing up back in Tokyo for the final 3 nights. As we're novices to Japan what would you good forumites suggest as good places to go and see. We would ideally like to see "old" Japan along with the more modern parts.

We will be getting a JR pass for 7 days to travel around and have our hotels booked through BA, good prices and hotels,so unfortunately we can't really change much in where we stay. Any advice will be great.

Thanks Budmiester

[sjc]

6 minutes ago, budmiester1 said:

 

Well as I said on the 2017 travel plans thread the boss and I are off to Japan for 13 nights in September. Our itinerary will be 5 nights in Tokyo, 3 nights in Kyoto, 2 nights in Osaka finishing up back in Tokyo for the final 3 nights. As we're novices to Japan what would you good forumites suggest as good places to go and see. We would ideally like to see "old" Japan along with the more modern parts.

We will be getting a JR pass for 7 days to travel around and have our hotels booked through BA, good prices and hotels,so unfortunately we can't really change much in where we stay. Any advice will be great.

Thanks Budmiester

 

Kyoto is definitely the "old" Japan but you'll see plenty of old temples/culture etc everywhere. It's a very traditional Country. I'd have recommended Hiroshima, even if just to try the okonomiyaki!

Are you prepared for the difference in language and food? (it's not just sushi btw!) 

[tongue_tied_danny]

I was in Tokyo a few years ago. For "old" Japan you could visit the temple at Asakusa, for "new" Japan I'd recommend Shibuya and Harajuku. For "batshit crazy" Japan head to Yoyogi Park on Sunday afternoon

[Tight minge]

Was in Japan for the first time earlier this year and overall was fantastic. Of all though, Tokyo would have been our least favourite which was a surprise. Hiromshima is well worth the visit and as SJC says, even for the okonomiyaki. From Osaka we also went to Himeji. We added in going to Kyoto to our trip as it is so easy to get about and as I said, Tokyo was the least interesting so heading to Kyoto shortened our time in Tokyo. Going out to the bamboo forest was a good day. Had a good laugh at the pot noodle museum near Osaka as well. Definitely will be back and will definitely spend more time away from the major cities. The food on the whole was fantastic. The okonomiyaki in Hiromshima was excellent and had one of the best meals I have ever had in a Soba restaurant in Tokyo.

[sjc]

How old are you @budmiester1? If you're still of clubbing age go to Roppongi in Tokyo. Never been myself but heard its worth a visit for the sights as well as the clubs!

[budmiester1]

5 hours ago, Tight John McVeigh is a tit said:

Was in Japan for the first time earlier this year and overall was fantastic. Of all though, Tokyo would have been our least favourite which was a surprise. Hiromshima is well worth the visit and as SJC says, even for the okonomiyaki. From Osaka we also went to Himeji. We added in going to Kyoto to our trip as it is so easy to get about and as I said, Tokyo was the least interesting so heading to Kyoto shortened our time in Tokyo. Going out to the bamboo forest was a good day. Had a good laugh at the pot noodle museum near Osaka as well. Definitely will be back and will definitely spend more time away from the major cities. The food on the whole was fantastic. The okonomiyaki in Hiromshima was excellent and had one of the best meals I have ever had in a Soba restaurant in Tokyo.

Thanks TM, I think because it's our first time we've kinda stuck to the standards such as Tokyo etc, in a way I would have been a bit more adventurous in where we will stay but the Boss is a bit more reserved in her thinking although it's her idea go figure?. Is there a way of seeing a bit more of the rural Japan from Tokyo ? I know it's a massive conurbation but I'd be happy sitting on a train for an hour or so to see things or is it so big that my idea won't work?. I'd like to se Hiroshima and I think I could manage it from Osaka? that a plan? many thanks so far everybody.

 

Budmiester

 

SJC,

I'm bit beyond clubbing but I do like seeing bars, restaurants etc any good places near to Shinjuku ?

[budmiester1]

Just had a look at Okonomiyaki, I have seen it on a youtube video but didn't know what it was called, now I know and it looks tasty. I must admit that I do like what passes to be Japanese food here in the U.K. but I have no doubt it will be completely different there. Can anyone recommend a good travel guide Lonely Planet style for Japan?

 

Budmiester

[tongue_tied_danny]

1 hour ago, budmiester1 said:

Thanks TM, I think because it's our first time we've kinda stuck to the standards such as Tokyo etc, in a way I would have been a bit more adventurous in where we will stay but the Boss is a bit more reserved in her thinking although it's her idea go figure?. Is there a way of seeing a bit more of the rural Japan from Tokyo ? I know it's a massive conurbation but I'd be happy sitting on a train for an hour or so to see things or is it so big that my idea won't work?. I'd like to se Hiroshima and I think I could manage it from Osaka? that a plan? many thanks so far everybody.

 

Budmiester

 

SJC,

I'm bit beyond clubbing but I do like seeing bars, restaurants etc any good places near to Shinjuku ?

Kamakura is about an hour on the train from Tokyo. It has large Shinto and Buddhist temples and a beach.

Regarding bars, I didn't really rate Roppongi. I preferred the pubs in Shibuya and Harajuku. You should look out for a traditional Izakaya. These are tiny, traditional pubs, usually marked with a red lantern outside. I had a couple of fantastic nights in such a place very close to the Meiji-Jingumae underground station. A word of warning though, they are not always "gaijin friendly", I was refused entry to similar place in Asakusa. It's also worth considering that some of the trendy, upmarket pubs have cover charges. I had to pay about £20 at some posh place in Ginza for only one beer. Most places were okay though.

[Tight minge]

Thanks TM, I think because it's our first time we've kinda stuck to the standards such as Tokyo etc, in a way I would have been a bit more adventurous in where we will stay but the Boss is a bit more reserved in her thinking although it's her idea go figure?. Is there a way of seeing a bit more of the rural Japan from Tokyo ? I know it's a massive conurbation but I'd be happy sitting on a train for an hour or so to see things or is it so big that my idea won't work?. I'd like to se Hiroshima and I think I could manage it from Osaka? that a plan? many thanks so far everybody.
 
Budmiester
 
SJC,
I'm bit beyond clubbing but I do like seeing bars, restaurants etc any good places near to Shinjuku ?

Actually getting From city to city was a breeze. The furthest away was Hiromshima which was a couple of hours From Osaka, but not a hassle. I can't say too much specifically about other places as we set ourselves a general itinerary before we went so only deviated a few times. Next time I'd be inclined to book the flights and the rail tickets and go.

Just with the other posters mentioning, we had another great meal in Roppongi in one of the Izakaya. The wife found it on Foursquare. Was expensive, but was fantastic.

In not sure I can be much more help, but they are plenty of people on here who have been and have decent insight.

[Booker_d]

For Batshit crazy Japan check out the Robot Cafe show after a couple cans of strong zero.

Kyoto is nice but I went during cherry blossoms season. There's also a small Geisha area. I forget the name of it.

I preferred Osaka to Kyoto but that's just me. There's a town about a 40 minute train ride that has deer roaming the streets. Again forget the name.

Bamboo forest is really nice. As is the inari temple.

I didn't like Hiroshima that much. Reminded me of East Kilbride. Obviously massive historical significance and can always say ive been.

Try to catch a football or baseball match when you're there. Good fun.

Whatever you do you'll have a ball. It's an amazing country. I spent a lot of time just wandering the streets gawping.

[sjc]

You could hire a car to see rural Japan. Driving here is fairly easy as they drive on the same side of the road as the UK with most of the signs in Romanji. Get an International Licence from the Post Office before you come over though.

Try as much of the different foods as you can. There's far more to it than just sushi and sashimi. Personal favourites of mine are Okonomiyaki (Hiroshima style), Yakiniku and Ramen. I keep being told that sea urchin is delicious but have yet to be convinced......it tastes foosty to me!

Be prepared for the heat btw. In September it'll still be in the 30C+ and humid! You can buy an "cooling" vest and underwear from UNIQLO here fairly cheap which helps keep the sweat at bay.

"Lonely Planet" or "Discover Japan" are pretty good books. 

I've been here since the start of April and I just wish I'd done it sooner. Great Country to visit or stay in.

[Eednud]

Get down to Kagoshima and try some of the black pork which is excellent, from Berkshire pig breed. Also have to try some of the sweet potato shochu although it's an acquired taste, shochu brewed from barley much better. There are some traditional shochu breweries in the area. You also must drink as much Sapporo Yebisu as you can anywhere, all malt and a beer so good they named the suburb of Tokyo (Ebisu) where Sapporo HQ is after it.

[hk blues]

Being less cultured than most on here I didn't venture much out of Tokyo except for a quick trip to Yokohama to pick up a Hard Rock Cafe cap.

Loved Tokyo as much because it was so different from anywhere else I'd been - felt completely lost most of the time which was great. Tokyo is really a collection of a few districts so no centre from my memory but each district had its own speciality - trendy shopping, higher end shopping, electronics, red light area, cultural part etc - definitely worth a visit to Ropongi (fucked the spelling) to seek out interesting bars.

Great country if somewhat bizarre at times.

[Moonglum25]

Used a company called Viator when we were there and did a day trip which included Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi and Mt Komagatake Ropeway and returned to Tokyo on the Bullet train.  Was a great day out.

Akihabara, in Tokyo, is well worth a visit if you are into electronics. Soem of the stores are huge and ended up buying a new camera body for half the price it would have cost here.

 

[tongue_tied_danny]

2 hours ago, Moonglum25 said:

Used a company called Viator when we were there and did a day trip which included Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi and Mt Komagatake Ropeway and returned to Tokyo on the Bullet train.  Was a great day out.

Akihabara, in Tokyo, is well worth a visit if you are into electronics. Soem of the stores are huge and ended up buying a new camera body for half the price it would have cost here.

 

Yeah , I took a stroll through Akihabara. The whole area seems to have been set aside for geeks and perverts, or Otaku as they are called in Japan. Aside from the electronics retailers there are large stores selling Manga action figures and the like. There are also sex shops selling some pretty sick porn and the fabled used undies. The shop I went into had a large screen showing a video of a naked woman pulling large fish out of a tank, biting them in half and then smearing the blood and guts over her titties. There is also a local phenomenon called Maid Cafes. These are cafes staffed by teenage girls in saucy French maid outfits that have the atmosphere of a kid's birthday party. There were a few elderly gents perving over the waitresses. It all felt a bit creepy and when I mentioned to a couple of birds in a bar later that day that I' d been to one it changed the tone of the conversation completely. Clearly they don't have a good reputation.

[sjc]

8 hours ago, Eednud said:

Get down to Kagoshima and try some of the black pork which is excellent, from Berkshire pig breed. Also have to try some of the sweet potato shochu although it's an acquired taste, shochu brewed from barley much better. There are some traditional shochu breweries in the area. You also must drink as much Sapporo Yebisu as you can anywhere, all malt and a beer so good they named the suburb of Tokyo (Ebisu) where Sapporo HQ is after it.

This. Yebisu is the best beer in Japan by far.

[mrcat1990]

Sapporo is the tits and their pint glass shaped pint cans make me a happy horse. God bless Japan.

[Eednud]

7 hours ago, mrcat1990 said:

Sapporo is the tits and their pint glass shaped pint cans make me a happy horse. God bless Japan.

That stuff is good but it's no Yebisu. If you can find some try it, 

[budmiester1]

I'll keep an eye out for the above [emoji106]

Thanks for your ideas so far everyone,keep them coming [emoji106]

[Sugar Army]

Partner did a trip with this company in China in April.  Pretty basic and suited to back packers but cheap compared to companies like G Adventures and Tucan...you get what you pay for.

Tempted to try Japan under our own steam but if I plumped for this trip is there any glaring omissions on their itinerary?

https://thedragontrip.com/tour/budget-japan-group-travel/

 

Oops